Karen's Blog Articles

The September fall equinox arrives when the sun crosses the celestial equator, the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s Equator from North to South. We already see and feel the waning sun as a reminder that winter is coming. Thus, while your energy reserves are stored, it is time to tackle the Fall Home Maintenance Check List.
Do not get overwhelmed by the Continue Reading

As a good rule of thumb, it’s always in a prospective buyer’s best interest to get a pre-approval for a mortgage when making an offer on a new home, but it’s especially important in a tight, competitive market. Why? In essence, it gives sellers relative assurance that you’re financially capable of purchasing the property they’re selling—something that a verbal commitment just can’t do.
Getting Continue Reading

Life is too short to spend too much of our time worrying about ourselves or a loved one becoming ill or dying. There’s no escaping the inevitable, however, and it’s extremely important to prepare for anything and everything to ensure that our wishes and the wishes of our loved ones are carried out.
When it comes to assets and belongings the best preparation starts with a list. It should be Continue Reading

“Pitt’s income tax” by James Gilray (Life time: 18th century) – Original publication: Cartoon Immediate Source
Losing a close friend or family member can be very difficult on an emotional level, however it can also be challenging from an estate management perspective as well. In many cases, surviving loved ones must quickly learn the financial and legal ramifications involved with Continue Reading

Lookie loos, prospective buyers and real estate professionals all enjoy exploring available homes in all shapes and sizes, both near and far. We delight in fantasizing and dreaming big. When it is time to get serious and purchase a property, not all home sizes and locations will meet our design aesthetic, personal needs, or budget. I am often asked by clients “How do I choose where to Continue Reading

The Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio was apparently dreaming of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” when he neglected to file for permits before putting up a new fence at Gracie Mansion. If you recall, Tom Sawyer famously persuades the local children to do his chore of painting the all-American white picket fence while getting paid for the privilege to do so. As noted in a Continue Reading

Home renovations are time consuming and costly, so establishing—and sticking to—a strategy to stay on budget is critical. And too often, in an effort to stay on budget, property owners cut corners that will ultimately come back to haunt them when they seek to sell their homes. Side-stepping the permits, licenses and approvals needed for any improvement is all too common, but doing so can have a Continue Reading

Perhaps you’ve seen a caravan of flatbed trucks, one after another—complete with its own police escort—transporting large boxes encased in a protective seal travelling on the highway or local road. Most likely, these boxes aren’t floats for a local parade or a shipment of government drones. Rather, they’re home modules on their way to a home site for a new commercial or residential Continue Reading

While it’s true that homes and properties are the heart of the real estate market, marketing plays a significant role in facilitating the best price in the shortest timeframe. I actually can’t stress enough how important marketing is. Simply put, it’s not enough to have a great property. As I think about the importance that marketing plays, one specific listing comes to mind. On the day of an open Continue Reading